ROARING INTO TOWN
Supernationals shows off custom cars starting today
Some of the nation’s top vehicles cruise into Albuquerque for the Supernationals
Some are fast.
Others are furious. But there’s one common element among the 250 cars showing at the Supernationals 2018 — meticulously crafted love.
“These vehicles are spectacular,” says Reggie Tibbetts, who produces the event. “This year, I believe there are 13 states represented in the show. This year is an exceptional year, with a strong following of national feature cars and traveling show cars.”
The event begins today and runs through Sunday, Feb. 4, at the Manuel Lujan Building at Expo New Mexico.
One of the vehicles Tibbetts is looking forward to having New Mexicans see is the 1936 Packard-based creation called Mullholland Speedster.
The vehicle has picked up every award at the car shows it’s been to.
In fact, at the Grand National Roadster
Show in Pomona, Calif., in 2017, it took home “America’s Most Beautiful Roadster.” It is owned by Bruce Wanta.
The vehicle was designed in 2010 by Eric Black, who wanted it to be part Art Deco, part European and part American.
The idea for the car also stemmed from the grille of the 1936 Packard. Then it was built from scratch by Troy Ladd’s Hollywood Hot Rods. Ladd will be a guest at this year’s event.
“This vehicle has won everything,” Tibbetts says. “I’ve had the opportunity to meet with the owner and the builder. This is one of those million-dollar vehicles. Being able to offer New Mexicans a chance to see this vehicle is an honor for the event.”
Tibbetts focuses on bringing national magazine feature cars, national custom car show winners and weird, wild and different vehicles.
“Since we started, we’ve built relationships with the builders and owners,” he says. “We also make sure to be at the biggest car shows in order to get them. The other car shows is also where we get a chance to see the up-andcoming contenders in the circuit.”
With planning taking at least a year, Tibbetts stays on his A-game in organizing the show.
“I’m actually in Pomona right now looking at cars for next year and 2020’s show,” he says. “It’s always about getting out seeing the cars. We’ve also been around long enough that builders and owners now seek us out to attend the show.”
Tibbetts says the car show has grown into a family-friendly event, and that’s an aspect that he’s proud of.
“This has been the goal since we started,” he says. “It’s become a tradition, and we see that it’s become a multigenerational event. We’re also a dry event, meaning there’s no alcohol.”
Tibbetts says he’s thankful for all the support the event gets.
“Between our wives, families, kids and friends, we focus on family,” he says. “And we do some major charity work for Ronald McDonald House. About 50 cents from each ticket goes to the charity. We’ve been fortunate to make some big donations over the years.”